When on a beat they are also very useful in telling you when you have a lift, which means you can have a better course to get to a windward mark, or have header, which is where you must turn off the wind.

Getting a header and not reacting quickly enough can make you tack, which could make you capsize if you don't react quickly enough.

Note: Be careful with large lifts, because they are usually followed by large headers.

Never be tempted to go too far into a lift that seems to good to be true.

Also beware of sailing too close to the wind.

This drives your speed right down and will make your performance fall (I always do this and just have to keep practicing till I don't).

Even though you want to be moving as far windward as you can you also want to keep the speed on.

So make sure you don't go too far into the lifts, but also make sure you take very single one, even the minor ones.

Improver's Tell Tales (Tip's and Tricks)

When beating it is a good idea for the helm to keep the tell tales slightly backed, so that when you get hit by a gust you instantly are fully optimised.

When gusts hit you are instantly over powered, which will make you go much faster than other boats that instead are pushed leeward.

Also, whilst beating, use lifts to try and get the boat flat.

If there is a lift turn into it, which will make the boat heel less.

Combine this with letting out and pulling in the mainsheet and you will really work the boat.